By Lori Ehde
In an agreement signed last week, Farmer’s Union Co-op Oil has purchased the assets of Rock County Co-op Oil, Luverne.

Both businesses have operated in Luverne for nearly 50 years. Farmer’s Union started in 1954 and Rock County Co-Op Oil dates back to 1927.

The two operations have offered similar services and products, such as petroleum products, LP gas, tires, agronomy inputs and custom fertilizer application.

According to Farmer’s Union General Manager LeRoy Lindblom, current clients of both businesses will notice very few changes, except for minor things like signage.

Both locations will remain open on South Highway 75 and will serve a combined clientele in Rock and Nobles counties and surrounding areas.

"This will allow us to serve a larger customer base," Lindblom said Monday.

Rock County Co-Op Oil has seven full-time employees, and Farmer’s Union currently employs 13 people full-time and another 10 on a part-time basis.

Rock County Co-Op Oil employees have been offered jobs at Farmer’s Union.

A mailing explaining details of the purchase agreement is planned for all customers of both co-ops.

"I would like to thank the stockholders for doing business with Rock County Co-Op Oil since 1927," Rock County Co-Op Board President Darrell Hemme, Hardwick, said Monday.

The agreement will be effective early in January.

"Farmer’s Union Co-Op Oil Company looks forward to serving all our customers’ future needs," said Farmer’s Union Board President Doug Brake, Wilmont, in a statement released last week.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys came out on the winning end of a basketball shoot-out in Slayton Friday.
The Patriots and the Murray County Central Rebels made a combined 65 field goals and scored 165 points during a high-scoring contest that fell in favor of H-BC by an 88-77 margin.

H-BC coach Steve Wiertzema was pleased with the way his team played offensively while winning its third consecutive game.

The coach, however, was less than happy with the effort on defense.

"We played well offensively," he said. "We made 53 percent of our field goals. I wasn’t very happy with our play defensively. It looked like a Sunday afternoon open-gym game to me."

No matter what it looked like, the Patriots improved their record to 4-2 by outscoring the Rebels by 11 points.

H-BC led 27-13 after eight minutes of play and sported a six-point advantage (50-44) at the intermission.

Patriot Tyson Metzger, who scored a career-high 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds and seven assists, helped H-BC expand its cushion to 14 points (71-57) by the end of the third quarter by netting six counters in the stanza.

MCC used a 20-17 scoring edge in the fourth quarter to make it an 11-point difference at game’s end.

Kale Wiertzema added 14 points, seven assists, seven steals and six rebounds to the winning cause. Tyler Bush added 13 points and seven steals. Jesse Leuthold pulled down eight rebounds. Trey Wan Wyhe and Clint Roozenboom chipped in 14 and 10 points respectively.

H-BC hosts unbeaten Ellsworth Jan. 3.

Box score
Bush 5 0 3-5 13, Wysong 2 0 0-0 4, Roozenboom 5 0 0-0 10, Wiertzema 4 0 6-8 14, Metzger 12 0 4-5 28, Leuthold 0 0 2-4 2, Van Wyhe 6 0 2-4 14, Spykerboer 0 0 3-4 3.

Team statistics
H-BC: 34 of 64 field goals (53 percent), 20 of 30 free throws (67 percent), 35 rebounds, 19 turnovers.
MCC: 31 of 60 field goals (52 percent), three of eight free throws (38 percent), 28 rebounds, 26 turnovers.

By Sara Strong
Although a terrorist attack of smallpox isn’t imminent, state and county health agencies are preparing for the worst.

Within the next few weeks, as many as 10,000 Minnesotans will start Phase I of the smallpox vaccination process, which is a part of the national effort.

Nobles-Rock Public Health Director Bonnie Frederickson said her counties and those in the southwest region are preparing for the risk of smallpox exposure.

The vaccination is voluntary, even in the first phase, which includes critical response personnel.
About 32 people in Nobles and Rock Counties will receive the vaccine initially.

"The people we’re considering for vaccination, during this initial phase, would have important jobs to do if we ever had to deal with an actual terrorist incident involving smallpox," said Dr. Harry Hull, Minnesota’s State Epidemiologist.

"They are the people who would be caring for the sick, investigating the outbreak and taking steps to control it. They are the people who would be coordinating our response to a bioterrorism attack, and maintaining public order."

Public agencies will administer the vaccine. It’s not available through local hospitals, and even if mass vaccinations are done, it would be through Public Health.

The Center for Disease Control now controls the availability of smallpox vaccine supplies.

Second phase
Phase II of the smallpox vaccination process would open to more emergency workers and critical care personnel, along with others who work with the public. But they also have the option of not getting the vaccine.

"It’s not the run-of-the-mill inoculation," Frederickson said. "It takes screening and careful thought."

The vaccine itself carries risks, and that’s why it was phased out of the immunization process in 1972.

Frederickson said the last case of smallpox was in the 1960s. Since the vaccine had side effects, and the disease was thought to be wiped out, the vaccine was taken out of circulation.

For those who’ve had the vaccine prior to 1972, it won’t work today, because the vaccine’s effects usually hold for three to five years.

The vaccines administered in this national program are the same as the previous vaccine. The same substance is administered on the upper arm for smallpox protection.

Part of the reason Nobles-Rock Public Health is working with counties in the region is because of its size. One vial of the vaccination immunizes 100 people, and the two counties can’t support that amount of vaccinations, with just 32 getting it in the first phase.

By the time Phase III hits, the vaccine will be available to the general public, but it’s not recommended.

Those who shouldn’t receive the vaccine include: people who might be allergic to it; pregnant and nursing women; people with medical conditions that could weaken the immune system; people taking medications or receiving medical treatment that could weaken the immune system and people with certain types of skin conditions.

"The actual likelihood of a terrorist attack involving smallpox can’t be known or calculated with any kind of precision," Hull said. "But if such an incident did ever occur, we know that the results would be devastating. That’s why we’re proceeding with this effort."

Frederickson said if the disease was spread, it would be a serious Public Health issue. "It has a 30 percent fatality rate and spreads very quickly."

Her agency’s role is to investigate possible cases and educate people, including doctors who haven’t seen it, on signs of the disease.

"If someone does come into contact with it, we do have three to four days to immunize, and it will still be effective," she said.

In the event of an actual outbreak most people would have to be vaccinated in a large Public Health effort, which is why vaccines aren’t recommended for everyone now, to conserve the supply.

If people in Nobles or Rock Counties would be infected with the disease, they would probably be transported to a hospital outside the counties to prevent outbreaks. Hospitals in Rock and Nobles Counties don’t have negative air pressure rooms to quarantine patients.

Young writer
Emily Miller, Luverne seventh-grader, is the most recent published author in the High School Writer, a national student publication. Miller is a student in Elizabeth Petersen’s English class and wrote the following poem:

My World
I am a prairie, a gently rolling sea.
I sway back and forth gracefully in my own time.
In my own lonesome world.
I lazily wave in the breeze.
I whistle as the wind races through me.
A single looming cloud breaks and Heaven’s glowing light rains down in glistening golden strands.
As I gently roll on,
I never skip a beat.
I will go on and on,
With or without you.
I will always elude you.
You can only hope to be a part of my mysterious world.

Many Rock County and Luverne community members worked together to make a Christmas wish come true for Luverne fourth-grader Cassandra Sunderland (center). Pictured on the day her piano was delivered Friday are Elementary Counselor Marie Atkinson-Smiens (front), Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff (front row, from left), Child Guide Lisa Dinger, Sunderland, piano teacher June Polzin, elementary teacher Helen Laabs, (back) music teacher Beth Capistran, County Commissioner Jane Wildung, Santa Terrie Gulden and County Administrator Kyle Oldre. Story inside.

Photo by Lori Ehde

December
Dec. 23: Cory and Shannon DeSmet, Hayfield, a girl.
Dec. 29: Darrel and Brook Kroeger, Hills, a boy.
January

Jan. 17: Neil and Carolie Carlson, New Brighton, a girl.
Jan. 31: Seth and Sue Hofman, Melvin, Iowa, a boy.

February
Feb. 12: Michael and Michelle Gray, Hills, a boy.
Feb. 20: Dr. Douglas and Esther Van Marel, Huron, S.D., a girl.
Feb. 22: David and Cindy Niessink, Steen, a girl.

March
March 10: Hans and Susan Erickson, Eagan, a girl.
March 15: Harvey and Tamara Horn, Luverne, a girl.
March 18: Stacen and Donna Burgers, Hills, a girl.

April
April 3: Chris and Joy Birens, Hills, a boy.
April 6: Marlin and Amie Fick, Beaver Creek, a boy.
April 15: Kyle and Sara Oldre, Luverne, a boy; Jared and Amanda Rozeboom, Hills, a girl.
April 17: Shane and Heather Roberts, Luverne, a boy.

May
May 8: Arlyn and Kim Gehrke, Beaver Creek, a boy.
May 18: Phil and Shari (Rierson) Haen, Renville, a girl.

June 21
June 2: Jason and Ranae Johnson, Luverne, a girl.
June 7: Justin and Laressa Birger, Sioux Falls, S.D., a girl.
June 20: Jason and Ericka (Tollefson) Noteboom, Sheldon, Iowa, a girl.
June 25: Tim and Trista Bosch, Hills, a boy.
June 27: Brent and Joanne Taubert, Beaver Creek, a boy.
June 28: Lonnie and Andrea Bucher, Beaver Creek, a girl

July
July 7: Scott and Kristi Ebert, Harrisburg, S.D., a girl.
July 9: Matt and Hana Hartter, Rock Rapids, Iowa, a girl.
July 10: Blake and Denise Wysong, Hills, a boy.
July 16: Derrick and Tim Flier, Brandon, S.D., a boy.
July 21: Andy and Stacie Bommersbach, Detroit, Mich., a girl.
July 22: Jeff and Cammie Dysthe, Beaver Creek, a boy.
July 27: Randy and Laurie Schott, Steen, a girl.

August
Aug. 3: Kurt and Lanette Elbers, Steen, a girl.
Aug. 31: Mark and Brenda Hadler, Edgerton, a boy.

September
Sept. 12: Dean and Renae Knobloch, Hills, a girl.
Sept. 25: Lynn and Amy (Feucht) Mogler, Algona, Iowa, a boy.
Sept. 30: David and Amy Olson, Beaver Creek, a girl.

October
Oct. 15: Sheila Pruit and Wayne Duncan, Beaver Creek, a girl.
Oct. 22: Aric and RaeLynn Leenderts, Rosemont, a boy.
Oct. 24: Dustin and Michelle Knobloch, Steen, a boy; Chad and Rachele Carver, Hills, a girl.
Oct. 30: Boyd and Danielle Vis, Beaver Creek, a boy; Chad and Tami Rauk, Beaver Creek, a girl.

November
Nov. 4: Rev. David and Bonnie Fagrey, Rapid City, a boy.
Nov. 8: Dean and Terri Baker, Steen, a boy; Joe and Becky Nadgwick, Omaha, Neb., a girl; Dean and Christy Rozeboom, Gregory, S.D., a boy.
Nov. 26: Jeremy and Maritta Smidt, Pipestone, twin girls.
Nov. 28: Mike and Anna Gilman, Eden Prairie, a boy.

December
Dec. 5: Cory and LaDawn Kelderman, rural Hills, a girl.
Dec. 8: Bob and Angie Johnson, Rock Rapids, Iowa, a girl.
Dec. 17: Joel David Huston and Tara Jo Sandager, Hills, a girl.

Land O’ Lakes Feed sales representatives Mark Tiesler (left) and Mike McNab serve Elden Reyelts of Beaver Creek lunch at Livestock Producer Days in Beaver Creek on Thursday.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Margaret Hatting, 87, Luverne, died Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Luverne Community Hospital. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. with parish prayers at 6 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Thursday, Jan. 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne, with Fr. Andrew Beerman officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

And the stockings were hung (for decorative purposes only)

This year, a Christmas tradition that could have ended long ago is finally coming to a close. … Santa won’t be filling my stocking.

It’s not because I deserve a lump of coal instead of good stuff, either. My mom and dad finally decided that, with their youngest child in her mid-20s, and their oldest a hair shy of 30, it’s time to stop staying up late and stuffing stockings for three grown women — especially since their daughters can stay up later than "Santa."

Saying good-bye to our family’s St. Nick was coming for a while. I think it was mom who finally brought it up while we were talking on the phone. "Santa might not come this year," she said.

It was fine with me, I told her. It was getting a little awkward, anyway, shouting, "Thank you Santa Claus!" Christmas mornings, after emptying stockings on the floor.

I told mom it’s a sign to stop setting out cookies for Santa when you can’t sit on the floor, shuffling through stocking stuffers, for long before a spider vein starts throbbing.

Even though he’s not coming this year, I already told Mom I still want my typical Santa gifts, the classic stocking stuffers: some favorite lotions, lipstick, maybe a book or costume jewelry … whatever Santa might have given me, had he been around.

And the person who actually bought the gifts can take credit this year.

The greatest gift is a home for the holidays

Knowing I had a secure home and loving family was the best present I always counted on at Christmas and throughout the year.

Unfortunately, many children don’t know that gift because they are waiting to be adopted.

Many times, these are children old enough to understand that they’re missing out on a real family. They are also old enough to know time is running out for their chance to be adopted.

Statistically, people usually apply to adopt perfect Caucasian infants, but most children waiting to be adopted have had troubles, are a racial minority and are older than age 6.

Adoption issues will be addressed on the national level when CBS airs "A Home for the Holidays," at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. This presents inspirational stories about adoption to raise awareness, and it includes stories from famous people involved in adoptions.

Most people know the Luverne story of the Rev. Bart Fletcher and his wife Claudia’s mission to adopt children in need. They’ve taken in nine children and encourage others to do the same thing.

Claudia is currently helping to find a home for Johnathn, an 11-year-old in Sioux Falls, who needs to be placed nearby because of some treatment needs.

He is described as having "a great sense of humor. He loves animals and would especially like to live on a farm or with a family who has pets. … Because Johnathn has felt rejected by past caregivers, it’s important that adoptive parents commit to him and be willing to hang in there."

Claudia points out that adoption is a larger social issue, not just a family matter: Children who leave foster care at age 18 without being adopted are likely to become homeless, in prison, victims or perpetrators of abuse and/or chemically dependent.

Claudia can be reached at 283-9693 to talk about Johnathn or a general interest in adoption.